382 



THE WOMBAT. 



the exception of its pouch, it is a rodent animal, and in its internal anatomy it approaches 

 very closely to the beaver. 



As might be imagined from its heavy body and short legs, the Wombat is by no means an 

 active animal, but trudges along at its own pace, with a heavy ro llin g waddle or hobble, like 

 the gait of a very fat bear. It is found in almost all parts of Australia, and is rather sought 

 after for the sake of its flesh, which is said to be tolerably good, although rather tough, and 

 flavored with more than a slight taint of musk. The fur of the Wombat is warm, long, and 

 very harsh to the touch, and its color is gray, mottled with black and white. The under parts 

 of the body are grayish-white, and the feet are black. The muzzle is very broad and thick. 

 The length of the animal is about three feet, the head measuring seven inches. 



In its temper the Wombat is tolerably placid, and will permit itself to be captured with- 

 out venting any display of indignation. Sometimes, however, it is liable to violent gusts of 



WOMBAT.— Phascolomys latifrons. 



rage, and then becomes rather a dangerous antagonist, as it can scratch most fiercely with 

 its heavy claws, and can inflict tolerably severe wounds with its chisel-like teeth. Easily 

 tamed, it displays some amount of affection for those who treat it kindly, and will come volun- 

 tarily to its friends in hopes of receiving the accustomed caress. It will even stand on its 

 hind legs, in token of its desire to be taken on the knee, and when placed in the coveted spot 

 will settle itself comfortably to sleep. 



Generally, however, the Wombat is not a very intelligent animal, and exhibits but little 

 emotion of any kind, seeming to be one of the most apathetic animals in existence. When in 

 captivity it is easily reconciled to its fate, and will feed on almost any vegetable substance, 

 evincing considerable partiality for lettuce-leaves and cabbage-stalks ; milk also is a favorite 

 article of diet, and one of these animals was said by Mr. Bennett to be in the habit of search- 

 ing after the milk vessels when set out to cool in the night air, to push off the covers, and to 

 bathe in the milk as well as drink it. 



In its wild state it is nocturnal in its habits, living during the day in the depths of a 

 capacious burrow, which it excavates in the earth to such a depth that even the persevering 

 natives will seldom attempt to dig a Wombat out of its tunnel. Owing to this habit of bur- 

 rowing, it is very destructive if left in an unpaved yard, for it soon excavates several sub- 

 terraneous passages, and puts the stability of houses and walls into sad jeopardy. 



